Bodyguard’s Richard Madden is so insanely unrecognisable in this throwback photo

Richard Madden may be synonymous with suave sophistication and intrigue, what with that icy blue stare and those tough action roles in Bodyguard and Game of Thrones. But someone tell that to his 12-year-old cheeky cherub self.

The 32-year-old actor has delighted fans by sharing an adorable throwback picture of himself as a child, and we'd never have guessed it was him.

Richard added the caption: "TB to me 20 years ago #nofilter."

Obviously fans were as gobsmacked as we were that the photo was of him, with one exclaiming: "No waaaaaaaay!!!"

One made a decent point by asking: "How did you grow eyebrows?"

"Same cheeky smile!" another observed.

It's fair to say that the star has had a pretty good year after his BBC One political thriller Bodyguard with Keeley Hawes was confirmed as the UK's most watched drama since records began.

Photo credit: BBC

The show's gripping finale was watched by an audience of 17.1million people, making it the most watched episode of any drama series across all channels since current records began in 2002.

And with over 38million requests, Bodyguard is BBC iPlayer's most successful box set series ever.

Fans are of course desperate for another series, and Richard - who is reportedly dating Nocturnal Animals actress Ellie Bamber - recently revealed that he's "open" to reprising his iconic role as the impenetrable David Budd.

Photo credit: BBC

"I love playing this character, but I am not sure where you would go with him next. However, that is what is so thrilling about [Bodyguard creator] Jed Mercurio. I am sure he is bubbling up some wonderful ideas on it," he told Digital Spy.

"I had such a great time making Bodyguard. I really loved doing it and I loved Jed a lot, so who knows what is going to happen? But I'm definitely open to it."